Folding box.



F. H. HOUGHLAND.

FOLDiNG BOX.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-2,1915.

Patented May 23,

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FRANK H. HOIIGI-ILAND, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

FOLDING BOX.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK H. I-IOUGH- LAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in folding boxes, and more particularly to a type of box especially adapted for parcel post, one object of the invention being the provision of a box made from a single sheet of material with small loss or waste material, such box being provided with integral means for locking the same extended, and at the same time producing a reinforced box, which can be readily. opened for inspection.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a simple, inexpensive and practical folding parcel post box that will meet with all of the postal requirements, and which is readily assembled, closed or opened without destroying the box.

With the foregoing and other objects in view and which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the details of construction hereinafter set forth, the invention, however, being limited only by what is claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of the box ready for closing. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through one closed end of the same box. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. l of a modified form of box. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of such modified form. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the blank thereof.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 thereof, the numeral 10 designates the bottom of the box, and 11 and 12 the side walls thereof. Each side wall is provided with two flaps, designated by the numerals 13 and 14, respectively, the flap 13 being provided with a slot 15, while the flap 14 is provided with the slot 16. As the side walls are folded upwardly and parallel, the flaps 13 and 14 are folded inwardly and crossed, the flaps 17 carried by the bottom being the innermost,

so that the locking tab 18, may be folded outwardly and downwardly and passed through either one, or both of the slots 15 and 16, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The top Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 2, 1915.

Patented May 23, 1916.

Serial No. 48,636.

19 is now folded over upon the side walls, with 1ts flaps 2O downward and exteriorIy of the flaps 13, 14 and 17, and finally the auxlllary top flap 21 is folded over upon the top 19, and its flaps 22 are moved so that the folded end or tab 23 thereof may be forced between the flap 17 and either one of the flaps 13 or 14, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus it will be seen that a box with a double top, and five interlocking and overlapping flaps at each end is provided, the construction and arrangement being such that the flaps may be readily positioned so that the box is rigidly held extended, yet in such a manner as to permit inspection of the contents by merely releasing the fiaps at one end of the box.

In the construction shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the main essentials heretofore described are embodied therein, the corresponding parts being primed. In this construction the bottom 10' is provided with a flap 17, having the folded end 18, provided with a tab 18". The side walls 11 and 12, are each provided with flaps 18 and 14, respectively, only one of the flaps, however being provided with a slit 16, for the reception of the tab 18". The flaps 13 and 14 are of slightly different shape than flaps 13 and 1.4, the edges adjacent to the bottom being tapered or inclined. The main top 19 is provided with a similar shape flap 20 at each end, while the auxiliary top 21, is provided with an extra long flap 22 at each end, each flap 22 being provided with the folded or scored locking end or tab 23.

In assembling this box the flap 18 is folded inwardly, and the walls 11 and 12 are then placed parallel with the flaps 13 adjacent to the flap 18, the flaps 14 being the exterior ones, the tab 18 being bent outwardly and in the slit 16. The top 19 is then placed over the walls with the flaps 20 exteriorly of the flaps 14 the auxiliary top 21 being folded over, and the scored end of tabs 23 projected between the flap 18' and the flap 13'. This box is then self supporting and locked.

What I claim, as new, is

1. A folding box made from a single sheet of material and scored to provide five parallel portions, two of which are adapted to fit coextensively, flaps provided at both ends of each portion, the central flap being provided with a reduced locking tab, one of the adjacent flaps being provided with a slot formed substantially parallel to and near receive the tab when the flaps are in closure position, and one of the outer flaps having a folded end forinsertion between the centralflap and the two adjoining flaps.

2. A folding box made froma single sheet of material and scored to provide five parallel portions; two; of which are adapted to fit coextensively, flaps provided at bothends of each portion, the central flap being provided'with a reduced locking tab and the two adjacent flaps being provided with slots for the reception of such tab When the flaps are in closure position, and one of the outer flaps having a folded end for insertion between the central flap and the two adjoining FRANK H. HOUGHLAND.

'Gop'iee of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner er Patents.

1 1 walhlngton, D. 0." r

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. 20 

